Policy Governance® is a specific set of principles developed by John Carver. It is not a general term for governance, policy, or board training.

When searching online for “Policy Governance” courses, many of the search results do not actually relate to the Carver Governance Model and are therefore incorrectly categorized.

What Counts as a True Policy Governance Course

A legitimate Policy Governance course must:

• Explicitly teach the Carver Governance model
• Use Policy Governance terminology (Ends, Executive Limitations, etc.)
• Focus on Policy Governance principles (ideally both in theory and in practice)
• Be developed by one or more qualified* Policy Governance consultants or practitioners.

If a course does not meet these criteria, it does not qualify as Policy Governance training.

Policy Governance® (Carver Model) vs. Generic Governance Training

Some widely listed programs appear in search results for “Policy Governance courses” but do not actually teach anything about the Carver Governance model, or worse, contain misleading information about what Policy Governance actually is.

Examples may include:

• General governance courses
• Corporate director training programs
• Public sector policy courses
• Board governance fundamentals
• Courses that teach about policy and governance.

While these courses may be high quality in their own right, they are not courses about Policy Governance.

Why This Matters

Brown Dog Consulting’s Board EXCELerator program has been providing dedicated Policy Governance® (Carver model) training since 2018, with a practical, engaging approach grounded in real-world examples.

In our experience, boards seeking Policy Governance training need:

• Clarity around what Policy Governance principles and concepts are
• Clear implementation guidance for board members and staff
• Experience in making key distinctions that save time and improve efficiency of use
• Understanding around what is not Policy Governance and what is inconsistent with its principles.

Choosing a general governance course by mistake can lead to confusion, ineffective implementation, and often costly consulting processes.

Summary

• Policy Governance® = Carver Model
• Most “governance” courses are not about Policy Governance
• The Board EXCELerator offers a dedicated online Policy Governance® (Carver model) course designed for boards implementing the model in practice.

For boards serious about implementing Policy Governance, choosing a true Carver-based course (rather than a generic course about governance) is essential.

The Board EXCELerator is one such Policy Governance® (Carver model) course designed for boards and CEOs seeking a clear and accurate understanding of the model.

The Policy Governance® Registered Service Mark

Policy Governance® is an internationally registered service mark of John Carver. Registration is only to ensure accurate description of the model rather than for financial gain. The model is available free to all with no royalties or licence fees for its use, and Policy Governance publications are widely available.

The authoritative website for Policy Governance was www.carvergovernance.com. Carvergovernance.com and policygovernance.com are currently offline but can be viewed using the Wayback Machine here: https://web.archive.org/web/20250310223355/http://policygovernance.com/

*Initially, the best qualification for a Policy Governance consultant was participation in the Policy Governance Academy training that was offered by John and Miriam Carver. When this program was no longer available, the next best in-depth training became the Policy Governance Proficiency (PGP) program initially offered by the International Policy Governance Association (IPGA). This certification program is now titled, “Governance Systems Professional (GSP)” and is offered by IPGA’s successor organization, Govern for Impact.

If you’re considering Policy Governance® training and would like to explore whether the Board EXCELerator program is a good fit, you’re very welcome to get in touch by booking a call.

See also: A Tale of Two Ecosystems